Group Director, HR M&A

Cadence Systems•San Jose, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology. As Group Director, HR M&A, you will have the opportunity to shape the people strategy behind some of the company’s most important strategic transactions. In this highly visible role, you will lead global HR M&A strategy and execution across mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other transformational initiatives, partnering closely with executive stakeholders and deal teams from strategy through integration. You will drive end-to-end HR M&A activity, including due diligence, organization design, talent assessment, retention strategy, employee transitions, communications and onboarding. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic, hands-on leader to build and scale HR M&A capabilities, influence critical business decisions, and help deliver successful outcomes in a dynamic, global environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate HR, HR consulting or related roles, including substantial experience leading complex global programs and initiatives.
Deep expertise across core HR disciplines, including organizational design, talent management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, change management and workforce transitions.
8+ years of HR M&A experience, including leading due diligence, deal execution, integration and/or separation planning across domestic and international transactions.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively as a senior leader in fast-paced environments with tight timelines, high ambiguity and sensitive stakeholder dynamics.
Strong leadership and program management capabilities, with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, influencing senior decision-making and managing external advisers.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize large volumes of complex information into clear recommendations and decisive action.
Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to understand enterprise strategy, value creation objectives and industry dynamics in the computational software and semiconductor sectors.
Extensive experience working across global organizations, including virtual and international environments, with strong cultural awareness and judgment.
Excellent communication skills and executive presence, including the ability to influence and present effectively to senior leadership and other key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the HR M&A strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other strategic transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and enterprise people priorities.
Build and continuously strengthen the HR M&A operating model, playbooks, governance, tools and metrics to enable consistent, scalable execution across geographies and business units.
Partner with executive stakeholders and deal teams to shape transaction strategy through insights on organizational design, talent, culture, rewards, labor considerations and integration risk.
Lead HR due diligence, Day 1 readiness, synergy planning, and integration execution, helping the business navigate complexity with clarity, rigor and speed.
Lead and influence cross-functional and cross-regional teams, including HR, Legal, Finance, IT, Payroll, external advisers and business leaders, to deliver coordinated, high-impact transaction outcomes.
Drive the HR approach to organization design, talent selection, leadership assessment, retention, employee transition and onboarding to support business continuity and long-term value creation.
Provide thought leadership on HR M&A priorities, guide stakeholder communications and decision-making forums, and capture lessons learned to continuously strengthen the organization’s transaction capability.